The fortuitous falls that allowed the club to acquire prize talents like Darren Howard, Deuce McAllister and LeCharles Bentley never materialized this year, at least not at the positions where the Saints needed the most help.

When the Saints began the draft their biggest need was a playmaker on the back end of the defense, a "focal point" player as General Manager Mickey Loomis suggested.

The four players they believed best fit that description -- cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Dunta Robinson and Miami linebackers Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams -- all went in the top 17 picks. The Saints hoped at least one of the group would somehow fall their way at No. 18. It didn't happen.